Playdate pre-orders go live July 29, here’s how to get one

Pre-orders for Playdate, the Game Boy-like crank-powered handheld gaming device from Panic, will be available starting July 29 at 1 p.m. EDT/10 a.m. PDT, the company announced Thursday. Playdate can be pre-ordered for $179 from its official website, play.date.

Panic will also sell a cover accessory for $29, and a bundle that includes both the Playdate and its cover for $199. Pre-orders require full payment up front, Panic said, but can be canceled at any time for a full refund. Pre-orders of the Playdate will be limited to two per person.

Panic said in a news release that pre-orders “will not ‘sell out’ — everyone will get a virtual place in line.” The company expects to ship roughly 20,000 Playdate units later this year (a firm release date for Playdate was not announced). Subsequent orders will ship in 2022.

Playdate was first announced in 2019. The tiny, retro-inspired gaming device includes a 2.7-inch black-and-white display, and sports just two buttons, a D-pad, and a pop-out crank. Games for the device will be rolled out in seasons, and at least two dozen have been confirmed so far.

Read Polygon’s hands-on impressions of Playdate and its games for more info.